Table of Contents
Laryngitis: Introduction
Laryngitis is an inflammation of the voice box (larynx). The larynx is part of the throat that contains the vocal cords. These are the two bands of muscle that vibrate to produce sound.
Laryngitis can be acute, which means it comes on suddenly and lasts for a short time. Or, it can be chronic, which means it lasts for a long time. Acute laryngitis is mostn caused by a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. Chronic lA bacterial infection may cause chronic laryngitise to irritants (such as smoke or acid reflux), or prolonged use of the voice (such as yelling or singing).
Laryngitis can make your voice sound hoarse or raspy. In severe cases, you may lose your voice completely. It is usually not a serious conditserious within a few days. However, if it lasts for more thaover, yover a doctor.
Causes of Laryngitis
Laryngitis has many causes, but the most common are viral infections and voice overuse. Viral infections are the most common cause of laryngitis. These inf of different virSeveralveralcommon cold virus, the flu virus, and the Epstein-Barr virus can cause these infections voice is another common cause of laryngitis. This can happen if you yell, sing, or talk for long periods of time without perioperiodsse their voice a lot for their job, such as teachers, actors, and singers, are more likely to get laryngitis.
Laryngitis can also be caused by other things, such as:
- Breathing in irritants, such as smoke or dust
- Allergies
- Acid reflux
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Tumors
- Nodules or polyps on the vocal cords
- Certain medications, such as beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors
- Thyroid problems
Symptoms of Laryngitis
Laryngitis is an inflammation of your larynx or voice box. IA virus, bacteria, allergies, or overuse of your voicoverusinge it The main symptom is a hoarse voice. Many people with laryngitis have a sore throat. Other symptoms include:
- A loss of voice
- A feeling of tightness in the throat
- Difficulty speaking
- Pain when speaking
- A dry, scratchy feeling in the throat
- A sensation of something caught in the throat
- A need to clear your throat frequently
- Coughing
- Hoarseness that lasts more than two weeks is often caused by something other than laryngitis, such as a vocal cord nodule, polyp, or cancer.
Diagnosis of Laryngitis
There are two types of laryngitis: acute and chronic.
- Acute laryngitis is a short-term condition that isaused by an infection, such as a cold or the flu.
- Chronic laryngitis is a long-term condition that can be cauings, including allergies, GERD, and smoking can cause laryngitis.
Your doctor will likely ask you about your symptoms and medical history to diagnose laryngitis, during which they will look at your throat and listen to your voice.
In some cases, your doctor may order a laryngoscopy, during which they will insert a small camera into your throat to get a better look at your laryngiti you have laryngitis, there are a few things you can do to help ease your symptoms.
Drink plenty of fluids, rest your voice, and avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke. If your laryngitis is caused by an infectionan infection causes your laryngitisIn some cases, corticosteroids may also be used to help reduce inflammation.
Treatment of Laryngitis
Treatment for laryngitis depends on the cause. Acute laryngitis usually goes away on its own, but there are some things you can do to help relieve your symptoms:
- Rest your voice as much as possible. Avoid talking or whispering.
- Drink plenty of fluids to keep your throat moist.
- Gargle with warm salt water several times a day.
- Use a humidifier to keep the air moist.
If your laryngitis is chronic, treatment will focus on relieving your symptoms. This may include:
- Resting your voice as much as possible.
- Drinking plenty of fluids to keep your throat moist.
- Gargling with warm salt water several times a day.
- Using a humidifier to keep the air moist.
- Taking anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or aspirin.
- Taking voice-resting medication, such as Prednisone.
If you have chronic laryngitis and smoke, quitting smoking is the most important thing you can do to improve your condition
Conclusion
Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx, the voice box. It’s usually caused by a viral infection, such as a cold, the flu, or croup. Laryngitis can also be caused by bacterial infections, such as strep throat, and irritants, such as smoke or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Acute laryngitis usually goes away on its own within a week. However, viral laryngitis can sometimes lead to bacterial laryngitis, which may require antibiotics. Chronic laryngitis is a more long-term condition that a nseveralings, including smoking, GERD, and vocal cord abuse can cause. Treatment for chronic laryngitis depends on the underlying cause. Laryngitis is a common condition that usually isn’t serious. However, in some cases, it can lead to more serious problems, such as pneumonia.
